The best tribute video I have ever seen...

It just happens to be about the Honda NSX. (click below for higher resolution version)

HONDA NSX (EXTENDED VERSION) BY FORMAT67.NET from FORMAT67.NET on Vimeo.

Here was my FB entry:

The person speaking is Ayrton Senna himself. Soundtrack is called "Mars" from the video game "Heavy Rain". This vid gives me goose bumps every time I watch it. The car is a culmination of what Honda use to be when the passion and desire of Sōichirō Honda carried through. I love that our small little humble car can inspire such awesome creativity in return. The vid was produced by format67.net. Honda... WAKE THE F UP!

NSX on Bilstein shocks and Tein S-Tech springs

Here's a summary of drop goodness

Bilsteins: .875" Bils on lower perch front & rear

Tein: Front Ride Height:-17 mm, -0.7 inch | Rear Ride Height:-26 mm, -1 inch

Total Drop: approx. 1.575 F / 1.875 R

Allowance for 18/19 taller wheels is probably about .5-.75" inches in gained ride height so net height at the chassis lift points is higher than the above total drop. You can't notice it very well in the comparo pics but the old height was about 1 "finger" gap in Front and 2 "finger" gap in the rear.

The Teins have the following spring rates

Front Spring Rate:4 kgf/mm, 224 lbs/in

Rear Spring Rate:4.4 kgf/mm, 246 lbs/in

vs.

Stock

Front Spring Rate: 170 lbs/in

Rear Spring Rate: 220 lbs/in

Impressions: The ride is noticeably more firm. I wouldn't say harsh but much less comfortable than the prior setup. It's much much less firm than my friend's Tein RAs. It all depends what you're looking for. From a handling standpoint, I'll be able to decide if I like this setup (or not) this weekend at Angeles Crest.

3.4L TRD Supercharger on the 5VZ-FE

After 7 yrs of happy ownership I felt the Tacoma needed a kick in the pants. I installed the TRD Supercharger which I found for a killer deal on Ebay. It was only the blower but little did I know that the biggest challenge was finding the brackets and accessories that's needed to do the install properly. It took about 5 months of casually hunting around for the little stuff.

I opened up the blower and it didn't need a rebuild - got lucky! I've had it installed for almost 4 weeks now. It's really quite awesome. Just what the V6 needed. It's perfect for a daily driver.

Here's the front view.


Side view. I had to order a new vacuum valve from Magnuson. You can also also see where I tapped in the fuel for the URD 7th Injector.


Gadget's URD kit is really clean. Everything was bolt-on and very well put together. He also machined an injector mount which mounts the 7th injector in the factory EGR location.


The biggest side expense in the kit was having to buy the a new TRD pulley and belt assembly.


All-in-all the installation was cake. It drives very well but I need a custom tune. Gadget's base fuel map is still a bit lean on my truck I feel.

Pasadena Art Center Fashion Photoshoot for the Students

A friend asked to use the Chevelle for background flavor yesterday to showcase fashion designs for the Pasadena Art Center students. This wasn't a photo shoot for the car but rather it was a final project for the students to showcase their clothing designs and also a practice session for the photography students as well. It was nice to help out. Fun too.. If you recall, Art Center Alumni include the heavy hitters in automobile design such as Chip Foose, Chris Bangle, and Henrik Fisker to name a few.

Video Update:

Oscar and I took some background shots below. They didn't come out too bad. Will update once the final proofs are posted.

S2000 Steering Wheel for NSX

I installed an S2000 AP1 Steering Wheel on the NSX last night. It's a bit smaller (330mm I believe) than the stock NA1 but with much thicker grips and overall better contour. I did not connect the SRS, for obvious safety reasons, but I did connect the horn and cruise control.

I used the Science of Speed Short Rapid Hub. Kept the factory steering/cable reel on place.

You will need to jump the outer two wires of the three prong connector. You will also need to jump the #3 and #4 pins in the four prong connector. #3 and #4 are the pins that are farthest apart. Both of these jumpers enables the horn trigger and disables the SRS/Airbag light in the NSX. If you want to use the Cruise Control buttons see further below.

You will also notice here how I mounted/bolted the S2000 AP1 wheel onto the hub. The input spline shaft and the AP1 splines do not mate properly like I was hoping for. Surprisingly the S2k wheel already has 4 pre-drilled holes. I used 4 bolts (8mm head, machine thread. I forget the exact thread pitch and size but I they were easy to find at Home Depot) to secure the wheel onto the hub. It is incredibly solid on there. I wasn't expecting it to mount so well. You will need to relocate the bottom two bolts holes about 2-3mm outward. This is by far the trickiest part of the whole install which makes this mod not a true bolt-on. The bottom bolts don't quite line up with any of the holes on the hub. You will notice that after all this the wheel is centered perfectly with the hub.

Preparing the jumper wires.

If you choose to wire the S2000 AP1 cruise control buttons you will have to follow the wiring below. Notice I had to tap into the 12v (+) pin from the horn trigger in order to provide power to the Cruise Control switches. It is a 12v(+) trigger circuit. This power wire needs to be tapped into the Blue/Red wire on the AP1 cruise control connector. Pin #1 of 4 from the cable reel is the "cruise set" trigger and this needs to be tapped into the Green/Red wire on the S2000 cruise control connector. Pin #2 of 4 is the "cruise accel" trigger and this needs to be tapped into the Green/Blk wire. I tried to find the connectors so this would be a cleaner install (no jumper wires) but I had no luck in my search.

The SoS hub is a nice piece. It provides for just the right depth and distance from the turn signal and the wiper controls. Unfortunately, it's the only thing that makes setup not look OEM.

All done. I'm very very happy with it. One of my best mods on the NSX.

Cars & Coffee (Irvine 11/14/2009)

Took the car out for it's first long drive. 5am start and 25 miles later...

Needs a lot of dialing-in.

Updates!

It's been a while but time hasn't been wasted! I've been busy with running and operating the school (www.regancareer.com) but still find time to de-stress with the cars. I haven't bought anything new lately, thank goodness, but i'm still a long way from where I want be with the Chevelle. The NSX came along nicely. I might be done with that car for a while... except for a set of Big Brakes.

Now onto the updates!

NSX Updates:
1. Timing Belt and water pump changed. Seals, Cam plugs, valve adjustment, and maintenance
2. All coolant hoses
3. Bilstein shocks on lower perch with OEM springs
4. HKS Exhaust
5. Top Speed Headers
6. Shark II "shortie" antenna
7. BMW E36 wing-let spoiler
8. NA2 Rotor and Caliper brake upgrade



Comparison of NSX NA1 vs. NSX NA2 brake packages











Chevelle Updates:
1. Custom Fit 88-94 BMW E32 E34 5-SERIES 7-SERIES PROJECTOR HEADLIGHT - $25 @ Pick-A-Part
2. Retorque head bolts and wrap-up engine break-in procedures
3. Rochester Quadrajet Carb for the MPGs!
4. Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust System
5. Summit cheapy headers. I hate them. Need to replace for a set of shorties.
6. Various leftover stereo components
7. Boyd Junkyard Dogs 17"x8" 4" BS, 18"x9.5" 5.25" BS (On Order)

To Do: I need to figure out how I want to wire the Torque Converter Locker on my 200R-4 which I finally got to shift correctly. Adjusting the TV cable wasn't as easy as I thought. Hint, you need to buy the right TV cable bracket.

uh oh...

just what a needed. a new distraction! and it drives phenomenally.

As a I arrived at Greg's home in Sacramento, there she was waiting for me.


A few hours later I satisfied my anality review, cut the check, killed a roll of painter's tape, and she was ready for the trip home!


5.5hrs later I realized I need a bigger garage. (Wait... doesn't Sacto-to-LA take 6-7hrs?... hahaha)


My garage is in need of a cleaning!

Things I like about the NSX.

• Honda's first car to introduce Variable-Valve-Lift Technology to the USDM.
  
• The car only weighs 2,9xx lbs. That's only ~200lbs more than my S2000.
  
• The engine is amazing and mated to the best chassis i've ever driven? ...it's absolute bliss.
• Still is a Honda with Honda bullet-proof reliability. (too bad when you tell the parts counter "it's for an NSX" prices jump 3x)
• Honda never made any money from this car but instead it was a tribute to their F1 domination in the 80's. R&D Costs must have been $$$.
  
• Steering is precise and communicative. Probably too much for the average driver (aka. Camry driver). The lack of a factory pwr steering option was a fantastic decision.
• Cornering is flat and stable, braking short and true, noise levels acceptable.
• Comfortable enough to function as a weekend getaway car. Arguably a capable GT.
• One more thing... In the 3 days i've been driving it, I have yet to see another one on the road and this is LA!
  

Now on to the videos! (Thanks John P. for the links!

1. Acura Commercial


2. British TV Show Fifth Gear's tribute to the NSX


3. A true-to-form video about the NSX's awesomeness :)

Calibration and Tuning

I've been casually driving the 66 Chevelle since my last post. I have about 130 miles since then. Still in the break-in period.

Here are some current issues I'm dealing with.

1. I initially thought my motor mounts were incorrect because my driver side header is waaaay too low to the ground. I'm scraping, spanking (and sparking!) my headers every time I come across a dip. I later found out it's the cheap-ass Summit Headers were to blame. Nothing I can do now but ponder new headers. I'm pretty peeved about this... and people complain about Made in China stuff...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227185


2. I'm having difficulty tuning the shift points or rather setting the TV Kickdown table for the 200-4R transmission. I've read all the online how-to's, which were all different btw, but nothing seems to get it just right. I'm going to take it to a pro in a couple of weeks. For I have it shifting *almost* right but the way it's hesitating makes me think i'm frying the clutch packs. I wonder if the Torque Converter locker makes a difference. I haven't set that up yet.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228032

3. The other issue... I'm a dufus when it comes to knowing how to set the timing on a car. Initial timing, vacuum advanceg, blah blah blah. I can build a motor. I can install an alarm system but for some reason I can't figure how to set proper timing on the car. When the timing light tells me i'm at 32 degrees total timing she seems to run like sh*t. For now i'm just shy of pinging and forced to 91 ($$$) octane.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228017

note: Let me also mention how awesome the guys at 'Hose Man' in Irwindale are. I needed to customize the high side of my power steering pump plumbing. They hooked me up real nice.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226886

I also sold my 307 Small Block last week and also my AP2 S2000 Exhaust. It's nice to finally have some room in the garage. Now I need to sell the other 3 sets of wheels.

ac-ces-so-ries

I was able to pick up a serpentine belt kit from a 91-93 Chevy Caprice from the local Pick-A-Part this past weekend. Thanks goes out to my cuz Wilbert for helping me dismantle the needed parts from the wreck that was once a cop car. So far all looks to be good. I had to order a long water pump (reverse flow) and had to keep the power steering pump mounted due to a lack of tools to unmount.

Issues:

• Need long water pump, reverse flow.
  
• Need to route the radiator hoses differently now and need to locate just the right flex hoses lengths and bends.
  
• A/C Delete Pulley is on order.
  
• Also need to figure out the proper serpentine belt length. The A/C Delete pulley looks much smaller.

After degreasing and after 2 more donated toothbrushes they were ready for paint. (My household is running out of toothbrushes.)


The kit is almost complete and looking good too.


note: Below is a shameless plug from yours truly.
If you are in need of Phlebotomy Certification and live in the State of California contact www.regancareer.com. They certify Phlebotomist and conduct CPR training/certification as well. Regan Career Institute is approved by the California Department of Public Health.

It's in and it's ALIVE

Dropped in the engine into Papa Smurf this weekend. Wasn't as easy as I thought but it's done. There's a still a bunch left to do but I got the headers installed and started it. Nearly woke up half the neighborhood. Good times!



from this view, looks like not much has change. i need a new carb

Engine Build Up. Progress Pics

Mike (My machinist): "This will be your best engine"
Me: "How so?"
Mike: "Because it's your first one"

I hope Mike is right. I know i've been super meticulous about getting everything right. I never used my Torque Wrench this much... ever.

Crank & New Freeze Plugs Installed


Old Rods, New Hypereutectic Pistons
Issues: Taking off the rods from the old pistons was a b*tch. You have to take them to someone with a hydraulic press. Don't use the hammer/mallet method!


If taking the pistons out was a b*tch, putting them back on is a b*tch and a half. The "heating the rod method" takes some skill.


Skipping ahead a few hours... Pistons are in!


Vortec 906 heads from the machine shop


Heads, Pushrods, and rockers are in!


My Harmonic Damper should be coming soon then I can finish the build-up. Let's hope she starts!!! Or at a minimum, let's hope I don't break anything while attempting to start.

Parts! Parts! and more Parts!!!

Received a bunch of parts on Friday and more to come today. Hope to have some time to put the bottom end of my engine together this wknd.

Part Number Part Description
NAL-12495499 HEAD BOLT KIT SBC
SUM-17350-60 SBC 4.06" HYPERUTECTIC PISTONS
SUM-133-139-60 RING SET 4.060 5/64 5/64 3/16
SUM-171020 ROD BEARING SET OF 8 SBC .020
SUM-173000 CAM BEARING SET SBC
SUM-G1581 BRASS FREEZE PLUG SB CHEVY
SUM-G2600 GASKETS-OVERHAUL KIT SBC
SUM-121155 OIL PUMP SBC HV
SUM-LUBE ENGINE ASSEMBLY LUBE
SUM-172030 MAIN BEARING SET .030 OVER
CCA-CL12-238-2 CL KIT
EDL-2116 PERFRMR MNFLD VORTEC
SUM-G9001 HEADER
FLO-5005 Flowmaster BOX 1 OF KIT#17119
FLO-1011 Flowmaster BOX 2 OF KIT #17119

McLovin' my Vortecs

My 906 Vortec heads are with the machinist getting a 3 angle valve job, taking 0.1" off the Valve Guide Bosses (for more lift) and some refinishing. Not doing a port job or anything else.

Should get it back by tomorrow. Also ordering my rebuild kit from Summit Racing - hopefully sometime today.

Home Delivery Rocks!

If there are any companies making money in this internet age it's definitely UPS and FedEX. I got my new American Racing Torq Thrust II rims last night and hopefully my Vortec heads soon via home delivery. Saves me so much time.

I went with 16"x7" up front & 16"x8" out back. Both sets have 4" backspacing. I was running a 16"x8", 4" backspacing up front initially but it was rubbing way too much. Who needs a set of two? I have two for sale now on craigslist.





BTW... If you ever need old school hot rod wheels I recommend buying from Karen (aka: gonefishing69 on ebay) . Sometimes it's how people handle shipping errors and not how cheap the product is - she just happens to be great at both!

I'm also supposed to get my Vortec heads this week. I'm taking a big risk because i'm buying them used. I'm hoping they aren't cracked.